Method for forming electrically charged laser targets

Abstract

Electrically chargeable laser targets and method for forming such charged targets in order to improve their guidance along a predetermined desired trajectory. This is accomplished by the incorporation of a small amount of an additive to the target material which will increase the electrical conductivity thereof, and thereby enhance the charge placed upon the target material for guidance thereof by electrostatic or magnetic steering mechanisms, without adversely affecting the target when illuminated by laser energy.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. A method for forming electrically charged targets having increased electrical conductivity for improving the guidance thereof by electrostatic or magnetic guidance mechanism along a predetermined trajectory comprising the steps of: mixing an electrically conductive additive consisting of dilute hydrochloric acid with a target material consisting of ammonia by introducing the electrically conductive dilute hydrochloric acid into a stream of liquid target ammonia material, directing the mixture under pressure through a channel terminating in an orifice, impressing upon the mixture as it passes through the channel a pressure wave of desired amplitude and frequency thereby initiating the formation of drops as it discharges through the orifice, positioning a pair of spaced electrically conductive plates having apertures therein such that the mixture discharging through the orifice passes through the apertures and impressing voltage pulses on the plates such that a liquid mixture segment between the plates during each voltage pulse is polarized with opposite ends of the liquid mixture segment becoming positively and negatively charged whereupon the drops formed from the opposite ends of each of the liquid mixture segments retain the induced charges. 
     
     
       2. The method defined in claim 1, additionally including the steps of forming the stream of liquid target ammonia material from essentially anhydrous ammonia, forming the dilute hydrochloric acid additive from about 0.4% HCl in water, and introducing the additive into the stream of liquid target material at a rate less than 3% per volume.